New Guinea Impatiens plant named ‘Kitorito’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea Impatiens plant named ‘Kitorito’, characterized by its compact, upright to broadly spreading and mounded plant habit; freely branching habit; dense and bushy growth habit; dark green-colored leaves; numerous reddish orange-colored flowers with central white-colored star pattern; and flowers positioned above and beyond the foliar plane.

Botanical designation: Impatiens hawkeri.

Cultivar denomination: ‘KITORITO’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR/APPLICANT & ASSIGNEE

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instantplant was filed by the Assignee, Innovaplant Zierpflanzen GmbH & Co. KGof Gensingen, Germany on Jul. 28, 2020, application number 2020/1787.Foreign priority is not claimed to this application.

The Inventor/Applicant and Assignee assert that no publications noradvertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distributionoccurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication. Any information about the claimed plant would have beenobtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from theInventor/Applicant and/or the Assignee. Inventor/Applicant and Assigneeclaim a prior art exemption under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosureand/or sales prior to the filing date but less than one year prior tothe effective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of NewGuinea Impatiens plant, botanically known as Impatiens hawkeri, andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘Kitorito’.

The new Impatiens plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Gensingen, Germany. The objective of thebreeding program was to develop new compact and freely branchingImpatiens plants with numerous flowers and attractive leaf and flowercolors.

The new Impatiens plant originated from a cross-pollination made by theInventor in November, 2016 of Impatiens hawkeri‘Kimustique’, notpatented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection ofthe Impatiens hawkeri identified as code number 171/2014, not patented,as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Impatiens plant was discoveredand selected by the Inventor as a flowering plant within the progeny ofthe stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment inGensingen, Germany in April, 2017.

Asexual reproduction of the new Impatiens plant by terminal cuttingspropagated in a controlled greenhouse environment in Gensingen, Germanysince June, 2017 has shown that the unique features of this newImpatiens plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Impatiens have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Kitorito’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Kitorito’ as a new and distinct Impatiensplant:

-   -   1. Compact, upright to broadly spreading and mounded plant        habit.    -   2. Freely branching habit; dense and bushy growth habit.    -   3. Dark green-colored leaves.    -   4. Numerous reddish orange-colored flowers with central        white-colored star pattern.    -   5. Flowers positioned above and beyond the foliar plane.

Plants of the new Impatiens differ primarily from plants of the femaleparent, ‘Kimustique’, in flower color as plants of the new Impatienshave reddish orange-colored flowers with a central white-colored starpattern whereas plants of ‘Kimustique’ are reddish salmon in color.

Plants of the new Impatiens differ primarily from plants of the maleparent selection in plant habit as plants of the new Impatiens are moreuniform than plants of the male parent selection.

Plants of the new Impatiens can be compared to plants of Impatienshawkeri ‘DANHAR305’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,306. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Impatiens differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘DANHAR305’, in flower color as plants of the newImpatiens have reddish orange-colored flowers with a centralwhite-colored star pattern whereas plants of ‘DANHAR305’ are orange incolor with white-colored centers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Impatiens plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Impatiens plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of atypical flowering plant of ‘Kitorito’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet are close-up views of the uppersurfaces (top of sheet) and lower surfaces (bottom of sheet) of typicalflowers and leaves of ‘Kitorito’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown in Gensingen, Germany during thesummer in 12-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse and undercultural practices typical of commercial New Guinea Impatiensproduction. During the production of the plants, day temperatures rangedfrom 18° C. to 25° C. and night temperatures ranged from 20° to 22° C.Plants were twelve weeks old when the photographs and detaileddescription were taken. In the following description, color referencesare made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition,except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Impatiens hawkeri ‘Kitorito’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Impatiens hawkeri ‘Kimustique’, not            patented.        -   Male, or pollen parent.—Proprietary selection of Impatiens            hawkeri identified as code number 171/2014, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By terminal vegetative cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About eight to ten days at            temperatures about 20° C. to 35° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About ten to twelve days at            temperatures about 20° C. to 25° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About two to            three weeks at temperatures about 20° C. to 35° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About three to            four weeks at temperatures about 20° C. to 25° C.        -   Root description.—Fibrous, medium in thickness; typically            white in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on            substrate composition, water quality, fertilizers, substrate            temperature and physiological age of roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Moderately freely branching; medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Compact, upright to broadly            spreading and mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous and            moderate growth rate.        -   Branching habit.—Freely branching habit; about five primary            lateral branches developing at the base each with about 2.5            secondary branches; dense and bushy growth habit; pinching,            that is, removal of the terminal apices, is typically not            required.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 13.1            cm.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of floral plane.—About 17.1            cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 32.6 cm.        -   Lateral branches.—Length: About 5.4 cm. Diameter: About            5.5 mm. Internode length: About 2.8 cm. Strength: Moderately            strong. Aspect: About 40° to 60° from vertical. Texture and            luster: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color, developing: Close            to between 183A and187A. Color, developed: Upper surface,            close to 187B; lower surface, close to 178B; at the            internodes, close to 187B; oldest stems, close to 178A to            178B.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite or in whorls, single.        -   Length.—About 9.9 cm.        -   Width.—About 3.5 cm.        -   Shape.—Narrowly elliptic to narrowly ovate.        -   Apex.—Long apiculate.        -   Base.—Long attenuate.        -   Margin.—Serrulate with ciliation.        -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            slightly glossy.        -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous; very            slightly glossy.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137A.            Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 138B. Fully            expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137A tinged with            close to 147A; venation, close to 180A to 180B. Fully            expanded leaves, lower surface: Close to 147B; venation,            close to 176B.        -   Petioles.—Length: About 2.7 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm by            4 mm. Strength: Moderately strong; flexible. Texture and            luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Texture and            luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous; moderately glossy.            Color, upper surface: Close to 181A. Color, lower surface:            Close to 182B.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower type and flowering habit.—Single axillary flowers;            freely flowering habit with usually about 93 flower buds and            flowers developing per plant; flowers positioned above and            beyond the foliar plane and typically face upright to            slightly outwardly.        -   Flower longevity.—Flowers last about ten days under            greenhouse conditions; petals self-cleaning, gynoecium            persistent.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Natural flowering season.—Year-round under greenhouse            conditions; in the garden, flowering from spring until fall            in California; plants begin flowering about 60 to 70 days            after planting young plants.        -   Flower diameter.—About 6.5 cm by 7.3 cm.        -   Flower depth.—About 2.3 cm; with spur, close to 4.8 cm.        -   Flower buds.—Length: About 2 cm. Diameter: About 1.3 cm by            1.4 cm. Shape: Ovoid; spurred. Texture and luster: Smooth,            glabrous; slightly glossy. Color: Petals, close to 32A; 48D            and N34C with apices, close to 146B to 146C; sepals, close            to between 152B and 199A; spur, close to 48B and 53B.        -   Petals.—Quantity and arrangement: Five petals arranged in a            single whorl; one banner petal, two lateral petals and two            lower petals. Length, banner petal: About 3.5 cm. Length,            lateral petals: About 3.2 cm. Length, lower petals: About            3.8 cm. Width, banner petal: About 5.2 cm. Width, lateral            petals: About 3.2 cm. Width, lower petals: About 3.7 cm.            Shape, banner petal: Reniform. Shape, lateral and lower            petals: Obcordate. Apex, all petals: Broadly emarginate.            Base, banner petal: Truncate. Base, lateral and lower            petals: Attenuate. Margin, all petals: Entire; moderately            and coarsely undulate. Texture and luster, all petals, upper            surface: Smooth, glabrous; velvety; matte. Texture and            luster, all petals, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous;            slightly velvety; matte. Color, banner petal: When opening,            upper surface: Close to N30B and 32A; towards the base,            close to 48D. When opening, lower surface: Close to 32A and            35A; keel, close to 197B; central blotch surrounding keel,            close to 50A. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to between            N30B and 33A; towards the base, close to 69A to 69B;            venation, similar to lamina colors. Fully opened, lower            surface: Close to 32A; keel, close to 197B; central blotch            surrounding keel, close to 52B; venation, similar to lamina            colors. Color, lateral petals: When opening, upper surface:            Close to N30B and 32A; towards the base, close to 58C and            69B to 69C. When opening, lower surface: Close to 39B;            towards the base, close to 58C and 68C. Fully opened, upper            surface: Close to N30B; towards the base, close to 58B to            58C and 69D; venation, similar to lamina colors. Fully            opened, lower surface: Close to 34C and 35A; towards the            base, close to 59D; venation, similar to lamina colors.            Color, lower petals: When opening, upper surface: Close to            N30B and 32A; towards the base, close to 62B to 62C and 69B            to 69C. When opening, lower surface: Close to 35A; towards            the base, close to 58C and 68C. Fully opened, upper surface:            Close to N30B; towards the base, close to NN155C; at the            base, close to 59D; venation, similar to lamina colors.            Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 35B; towards the base,            close to 58B and 69C; venation, similar to lamina colors.        -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Three arranged in a single            whorl; one dorsal sepal modified into an elongated spur and            two lateral sepals. Length, dorsal sepal (excluding spur):            About 1.8 cm. Length, lateral sepals: About 1.3 cm. Width,            dorsal sepal: About 1.3 cm. Width, lateral sepals: About            7 mm. Shape, dorsal sepal: Broadly ovate. Shape, lateral            sepals: Ovate. Apex, dorsal sepal: Acute. Apex, lateral            sepals: Apiculate. Base, all sepals: Cuneate. Margin:            Entire. Texture and luster, upper surface, all sepals:            Smooth, glabrous; matte. Texture and luster, lower surface,            all sepals: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy. Color, dorsal            sepal: When opening, upper surface: Close to 69B; towards            the apex and margins, close to 52A. When opening, lower            surface: Close to 69B; towards the base, close to 50C;            towards the margins, close to 52A; central band and towards            the apex, close to 180B. Fully opened, upper surface: Close            to 69B; towards the apex and margins, close to 50A to 50B.            Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 69B; towards the base,            close to 54C; towards the margins, central band and towards            the apex, close to 52B. Color, lateral sepals: When opening,            upper and lower surfaces: Close to 182A to 182B; towards the            apex and margins, tinged with close to 146D. Fully opened,            upper surface: Close to 51A to 51B; towards the apex and            margins, tinged with close to 145C. Fully opened, lower            surface: Close to 182A; towards the apex and margins, tinged            with close to 147D. Spur length: About 4.6 cm. Spur            diameter: At flower, about 1.5 mm; at apex, less than 1 mm.            Spur texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Spur            color: Close to N34A; towards the apex, close to 46A;            towards the base, close to 51B.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 7 cm. Diameter: About 1.75 mm.            Angle: About 45° from vertical. Strength: Relatively weak.            Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color, upper            surface: Close to 183A. Color, lower surface: Close to 183B.        -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity: Four. Filament            length: About 4.5 mm. Filament color: Close to 43C. Anther            size: About 1 mm by 3 mm. Anther shape: Oblong. Anther            color: Close to 16B. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen color:            Close to 11D. Pistils: Quantity per flower: One. Pistil            length: About 1 mm. Style length: About 0.5 mm. Style color:            Close to 157A. Stigma diameter: About 0.8 mm. Stigma shape:            Round, flattened. Stigma color: Close to 157A. Ovary color:            Close to 144B.        -   Seeds and fruit.—To date, seed nor fruit development has not            been observed on plants of the new Impatiens.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Impatiens    have not been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common    to New Guinea Impatiens plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Impatiens have been    observed to tolerate temperatures from about 5° C. to about 40° C.    and to be suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 13.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct New Guinea Impatiens plant named‘Kitorito’ as illustrated and described.